(90-Day Detox) Day 13: Coming Out of the Cooked Food Closet

Usually we finish with a success story, but today is different. Today it’s confessional time. First of all, it’s fine and dandy to have things all upbeat and bubbly, because sometimes that’s how life is. Sometimes things really do just work out perfectly and life is good. But other times, things seem to fall apart. We lose hope, get discouraged, frustrated or just lost. I think it’s important we address some of the tools that can help us get through these things, too, in honor of the fact that maybe not everyone is feeling like a Sparkle Puff this week.

Today I thought I’d kick off the blog post with a plea for help that is not at all unusual in terms of the kinds of messages that I receive in a week. It’s completely unedited. Why don’t you read this and see if you can relate:

Hi, Tera.

I know your time is probably very limited to reading and responding to emails from people you don’t know. From reading your blog, you are super busy. So I am very grateful to you for reading this email and I hope you can help me. I have been reading your blog and I just signed up to be a part of the 90 day detox. Let me start off by telling you that I have read and researched TONS of info on eating healthy and I know the importance of a raw food diet. I was eating at least 50% raw food last summer and I felt and looked amazing. As of today, it’s a whole different story. I can’t seem to get back on track with the healthy eating and I am continually gaining weight. I’m only 5 ft. tall and I weight 134. That’s just too darn much. I am extremely disappointed with myself, burnt out and discouraged. I even took up running 3 weeks and have been doing awesome with that. But I’m not losing weight because I can’t stop eating. On my first day of doing your detox, I felt lost and unprepared. I knew I couldn’t have dairy or gluten, but I wasn’t ready to do just fruits, veggies, beans and rice. I had my green smoothie, which I do at least 3 times a week, but then around lunch time I got hungry. I looked in my cupboards and could not find anything that sounded good.

I didn’t want a piece of fruit or a carrot. Here is my problem. It’s my thinking, which I am having a hard time changing. I have to be FULLY prepared and everything perfect and in order before starting something. I am really struggling coming aboard the 90 day detox program because I started late. It just feels wrong…or like I won’t succeed because I didn’t start from day one.

I considered going to my local Whole Foods (which I do a couple of times a week already) and buying a bunch of things that are gluten free and sitting down and writing out meal plans and getting myself prepared. But, you know what, I’m too tired and too broke. I have already spent over budget this month on my groceries, and physically I feel horrible. I just want to sleep; not take on a huge project like preparing my mind, body and home to not eat gluten or dairy anymore. To give you an example of how out of control my diet is, yesterday I ate nothing but carbs. I was trying eat healthy. I even passed up my husband’s Papa John’s pizza. I didn’t even eat dinner and I gave my 4 year old daughter some lentil soup instead of nasty pizza. But, for breakfast I had a half of a blueberry muffin from Whole Foods. For lunch, whole wheat pasta with homemade tomato sauce. For late night snack with the movie, popcorn (no butter) with peanut M&M’s. Ughhh! I feel fat, tired and horrible today. It just feels hopeless. For every accomplishment or victory I have, it seems like I have to do something to sabotage it. Yesterday I ran longer than I have ever run, but then look how I ate. I thought about buying your detox program that would give me more support and tell me what to eat, but I just can’t afford it! (sigh!)

I am so sorry to be rambling on. I’m just so down. I came to your blog today to try and pick myself up by reading the different entries and some of the testimonies. I don’t feel better. I feel worse. I’m reminded of how much I have been messing up and that I’m too far out from the time everybody else has started this detox. It’s also discouraging to see how so many people are doing so well and I’m not.

The reason why I am writing to you and asking you for help is because I believe so strongly in what you are doing. Again, I have read TONS of books and blogs on raw eating, healthy eating, green living, etc. Probably the same ones you have read. The tone of your blog is different. It’s very catchy and uplifting. Not preachy or wordy. Your personality shines through your writing and it’s very invigorating. I want so badly to be a success story on your blog and even help others along the way. It’s funny, so many of my friends come to me for advice on what they should eat or what they should give their kids to eat. It’s a whole lot easier to tell someone how to live their life than to tell yourself. I am hoping and praying you can give me the advice or direction I am needing.

Again, thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to read this email. Bless you!

M/G

First of all, I REALLY appreciate letters like this. Testimonials and glowing reports are great to boost my confidence, but letters like these where someone has the courage to come out of their cooked food closet and ASK FOR HELP are even more valuable to me. They remind me why I’m doing this in the first place and what we’ve done to try and set ourselves apart a bit.

Most people put up a customer service wall of fire to prevent intimacy and involvement. Profit is the priority at the expense of any emotional connection with the clients. Obviously, we can’t build a business here where one person takes responsibility for the emotional well-being of the community, but we can build a community where the INDIVIDUALS within the community are inspired to take responsibility for each other.

That’s what we’re trying to do here. Another e-book is NOT the answer to your prayers, but having someone else who believes in you and supports you may very well be the solution we’re looking for.

Life deals a hard blow and some of us struggle more than others to get our ducks in a row. But, but, but, but, buuuuuuuuut… (and you can quote me on this one!)

More than another ebook, more than another miracle supplement or visit with the stethescope, more than another  you need someone else who believes in you!

And now you’ve got one.

Actually, thousands if you just log into the Powder Room and start making friends. There are other women just like you all around the world and they need you as much as you need them.  If you are on the Full Support Version of this 90-Day Detox, you have access to the special section set aside just for this program!

I’ve seen people overcome all kinds of difficult situations. I know that solutions exist and that there is a way out of the hole you’re in, no matter how deep it feels. But read this and remember it:

THE ONLY WAY OUT IS THROUGH!

You have to START. You have to pick yourself up where you are RIGHT NOW. It doesn’t matter if it’s day 13 or day 49. It’s TODAY! Start! Make this happen. Make it your day.

I had a lousy morning, ate too early, ate too much… but blah blah blah… I decided to get my @$*( together and grabbed a tall glass of H2O at noon.

Here’s are my best suggestions for how to get out of a Funk once you’re in it.

5 Simple Steps For Coming Out of the Cooked Food Closet

1. Start Your Day With Water

No matter how poorly you ate the day before, tomorrow is a new day. Make it the day to start fresh. Start your day with a tall glass of water and DO NOT EAT ANYTHING until you are TRULY HUNGRY! The sad thing is that most people do not know how to identify real hunger.

2. Learn How To Identify Real Hunger and Eat When Really Hungry

One of the things I think people misunderstand the most is the most basic concept of all:

Hunger.

They mistake all manner of grumbling stomachs and general irritation for the real thing.

Hunger pulls.

Hunger persists.

Hunger salivates.

Hunger isn’t fussy or choosy.

If you think that something “doesn’t sound good” then consider the possibility that you’re not really hungry. You should care less how your food sounds and more that there’s food at all. These other things you’re feeling can be detox symptoms. Irritability

3. Find Yourself An Accountability Partner

Make a public statement on the blog, if you must. I offer you THIS SPACE to declare to the world your intention to make things go right. You can leave a comment, but you can also find a buddy on the Powder Room, too. What about a neighbor, a friend, a co-worker. It doesn’t matter WHO it matters THAT you find someone to support you and encourage you in your process.

4. Make Change on a Gradient

Depending on where you’re at and how you’re coping with things, you need to understand that TAKING THINGS ON A GRADIENT IS VERY IMPORTANT. If you keep setting yourself ultimatums and then crashing on them, something’s not working. If things feel out of control, find some part of your situation that you can control and control it.

Maybe you’ll just eat ONE piece of pizza instead of THREE.

Maybe you’ll stop eating after 9:00pm instead of midnight.

Find the gradient, whatever it is, and START THERE! Start somewhere, but START for Heaven’s sake, because as I said it before, THE ONLY WAY OUT IS THROUGH!

5. Persist and Thrive In Spite of All The Obstacles Against You

You can do this, but persist. Get your boots back on, Babe, and DECIDE that you really want this. The barriers you perceive are only there because you CHOOSE for them to be barriers. Get over it! Get up! We need you on the team. Have you noticed how many sick, struggling people there are out there that haven’t even figured out yet that there IS a relationship between their food and their health.

WE NEED YOU!

Listen, I don’t like being a loud-mouthed “coach” but when your kid is running in front of a truck, you don’t whisper to them to come back to the side walk. Sometimes love does need a hard hard. A wake-up call. If you are engaging in self-destructive behavior then THIS IS YOUR WAKE UP CALL!

Get on board. Read the blog posts until today and get started.

It’s not just what you think, it’s also what you DO! Stand up, Woman, and get your life back!

Don’t worry, Chica! Even when I am a bit harsh, I still loooove you like glue, my little Sparkle Puff!!

Tera

(90-Day Detox) Day 12: My Kids’ Favorite Gluten Free Snack

Day 12.

I did a good thing going to sleep last night. I need to make a new commitment to myself. It’s funny, you know. There’s a certain sort of calm and balance moving into my life right now. Like my life IS a dream come true. The bus just come right when I arrive at the stop and the moments of synchronicity in all I do have me feeling confident and curious all that the same time.

I’ve detoxed chaos and confusion to a certain degree.

The whole point of this program was to get over the food obsession. Well, not the “whole” point, but a major one. The other night on our support teleseminar, we discussed the importance of taking change on a gradient. For those of you who may be struggling to end your love affair with gluten, I wanted to make a few suggestions. First of all, the grains that do not contain gluten:

buckwheat
quinoa
amaranth
rice
millet

There might be more, but they are evading me right now. I know these are the key players, so let’s start here. Depending on where you’re coming from, sticking to gluten-free foods like quinoa noodles and rice bread, or cooked brown rice, might not be such a bad thing. For others, the cooked food boundary being crossed can make it too easy to go “over the edge”.;-)

Find the gradient that is comfortable for you. We have 90 days to get there. I know you’ll do just GREAT, my dear.

I wanted to give some feedback on my own process lately. It’s always rather interesting to watch myself weave through the articles and gurus and find which path works best for me. I’m not sure what to make of all the different things I read about sometimes. What I can say is that when it seems everyone has a scientifically supported study to support their claims, and everyone’s claims still seem to be contradicting each other, then I have (above all else) my observations of what is happening in my body to go back on.

The softness of my skin.
My moods and emotions.
My digestion and elimination.
My energy levels.
My sleep patterns.
My general enjoyment of life.

These are some of the things I can observe and measure their change over time. I know that all the green juices are DEFINITELY doing something to my skin! It’s SOOOOO SOFT! I can hardly believe it. I touch myself and don’t fully recognize myself right now. My energy and digestion are good.

I used to eat A LOT of fruit.

Now I eat A LOT less fruit.

I never used to eat salt of any kind. No garlic, no onions, no spices, no olive oil, no nothin’.

Now I drizzle olive oil, sprinkle sea salt, stick garlic in my tomato sauce and eat whatever the heck I want. I even drink green juice now and I’m CONVINCED that it’s a good thing.

Not because someone else said I should, but because I see and feel the difference. The last couple days I didn’t take the time to make myself a green juice and I felt a bit more irritable than usual. I ate more, too. I’m not sure how to make sense of all this “alkaline and enzyme” talk, but in the weeks to come, you can be sure that I’ll be doing some interviews to get a few answers on this.

I know some of you have been wanting to know how my interview went with CTV.

Weeell, it was just a little one. It’s a 3 minute segment that they’re doing on Raw Food, and I’m excited that it’s going to be happening. It will broadcast on Sunday this weekend. The only thing that bugged me is that I probably should have had a layer or two of make-up on. One other thing that kinda annoys me…

…I blushed.

I can’t help it.

I just turn red like a fire fairy under the spotlight. Oh well. I guess we’ll see how it turns out. Hopefully they’ll take the good parts.;-) They said it will be available online, so once I’ve previewed it to make sure it’s showable to my loved ones, then I’ll share it! In the meantime, if you’re not on the 100% raw food path, here’s something you might enjoy:

My favorite popcorn replacement recipe:

Did I tell you my fake popcorn recipe? Well, especially next month when we step up the intensity and start leading to more allergy free meals (no corn, soy, peanuts, etc.) this recipe will come in handy. Since we avoid corn in our house, I like to take organic rice cakes, drizzle them with olive oil, a bit of sea salt and nutritional yeast. This makes them taste JUuuuust like popcorn. My daughter loves this snack and brings it to school often. All the kids ask for some, so we make her a big bag to share!

While I don’t indulge in this myself very much, the kids like it. Shannon Leone put out a little video suggesting that raw cauliflower dipped in Braggs makes a great popcorn replacement, too! you might want to try that.

I’m off to go get the kids at school. Mika has a pajama party. It’s raining like crazy and I’ve already had a few hours of exercise, but I think I’m going to strap on my sneakers and a good pair of running pants then hit the road. I’m feeling SUPER inspired after listening to that teleseminar with Yuri!

Intense workout, here I come!!

Looooove you!

Tea RAW

Here’s Today’s Success Story:

Hi Tera!

I started to write the whole long story that began 10 years ago for me…but I am a mom of a two year old boy and a 7 week old girl – so time is limited!  Haha.  Basically I was vegan for several years before falling off the bandwagon and adding all sorts of junk back into my diet like dairy, refined sugars/flours and fish.  When I got pregnant with my son I followed a pretty healthy diet and exercised regularly.  Last year I decided to go raw and managed to do 35 days at 100% before going back to cooked foods like no body’s business.  Shortly thereafter I got pregnant with my daughter and it all went downhill from there in terms of my diet/exercise.  I went back to being a SADer, big time, without a lick of exercise.

My friend sent me to your site and I signed up for the 7-day raw food detox. I actually received all 13 days of the emails before deciding to start (not purposely, just didn’t realize once I signed up that I’d be starting immediately and I wasn’t “ready”).  I read the 5 days of prep in one day, fasted that night and started the 7-day detox the next day (Monday of this week, actually).  It has been eye opening.  When I went raw for 35 days, I was making a ton of raw gourmet recipes but I did not eat a lot of veggies as is (like I’m doing now). Even though everything I was eating was raw, it was all spiced up, dehydrated, smothered and/or reconstituted to taste like something else. Did I lose weight? Yup! Did I get my poor eating habits under control? Nope . If anything, they were made worse because the recipes I was making took so long to prepare, my life pretty much revolved around food. With this 7-day fast, I’m eating very simply and rediscovering how good things taste in their natural state.

So this is Day 3 for me on the 7-day raw food detox and I’m on board for the 90 days.  I’m looking forward to growing in my journey to better health.  I want to be a good example to my children – and my husband, who will basically follow my lead in this area.  Thanks for doing this!

Ahava,
Yadira

(90 Day Detox) Day 11: Short and Sweet

Whew.

Today was a bit rough for the ol’ redhead. I have to admit, I feel like I overate and emotionally ate, and I think it’s because I’m just needing more sleep. It’s tough to juggle all the things we have to juggle in life.

I know, I know, I should be busting a move and popping out “WOW”s and sparkling my sparkle puff everywhere, but I’m tired. So rather than go on about it, I’m going to get my jammies on and GO TO BED.

Remember! Tomorrow is the interview with Yuri in the afternoon!

Also, today we got a hot new issue of Health In High Heels off the presses! Check it OUT here!

Love you,

Tera

Another Way to Eat Leafy Greens (Kale and Creamy Tahini Dressing)

This past weekend I traveled to New York City to attend a class and on Saturday night I had the pleasure of attending a cooking class with Andrea Beaman. You may have heard of Andrea, she was a contestant on the show Top Chef. There were about 20 of us sitting in Andrea’s living room as she demonstrated 3 recipes.

I decided to come home and try one of her recipes.  I am using raw kale vs. the steamed kale Andrea used in the recipe. The creamy tahini dressing will offer a wonderful savory flavor, which is a nice change from the sweet flavors that I usually enjoy in my green smoothies.

Kale and Creamy Tahini Dressing Recipe

1 bunch kale (you may use any variety of leafy green) shredded

Creamy Tahini Dressing *

• 1/3 c. sesame tahini
• 3 tbsp. Nama Shoyu (Nama Shoyu is a raw unpasteurized soy sauce)
• 3 tbsp. umeboshi vinegar (Made from umeboshi plums. You may also look for ume vinegar, it’s the same thing)
• ½ bunch parsley, chopped
• ½ bunch scallions, chopped
• 1 c. water

* Recipe created by Andrea Beaman, a natural foods chef and holistic health counselor

Blend all ingredients for tahini dressing in a food processor or blender. Dress your leafy greens with the tahini dressing.

Enjoy!

Tracy

(90 Day Detox) Day 10: A Date With Destiny

Whooooa, Nellie!

We’re one ninth of the way there. Time flies when you’re having fun.

Today’s my big day! I’ve got a date with destiny on CTV, a super support teleseminar with all you detoxing divas who chose the high support path and me and Mr. Wheatgrass are hanging out for more Raw Food frolicking today as well. Just when you thought life couldn’t get better, it explodes into tiny little bliss bubbles.

Ahhhh…

So here’s a really important thing that should have been discussed earlier. If you’re following along with the 90 Day Detox, then you’re going to want to subscribe to these blog posts. Thanks to Tami the Social Media Queen around here, we have an answer for you to the question:

“How to you sign up to receive blog posts? What is RSS feed all about?”

So says Tami:

This website explains what an RSS feed is quite well: http://www.whatisrss.com/

On the Raw Diva blog — scroll down and in the Right-hand column there is a heading called “Meta” and under there is “Entries RSS” — click that and it takes you to a page (http://terawarner.com/blog/?feed=rss2) where you can subscribe to the feed. There will be a few options in a drop down box that you can select from for what you want to subscribe with — that is how you will receive the feed. For example, I choose Google which means I read my feeds in Google Reader. The one you choose is where you will go to see the new blog updates –

Now let me explain the reason this is helpful is assuming you have many, many blogs you like to keep up with and you wouldn’t ever remember to check each of them daily or possibly even weekly — BUT you can always go to your READER — in my case Google Reader (but there are others, see the article) and all of the blogs or other sites you follow show updates there.

You can still go directly to the blog you follow to read, and if you want to comment you will go to that blog site (you can simply click on the link in your reader to go from reading it in your reader to reading it directly on the blog site), but this way you have one place to remember to check to see what is new on all the sites you love, instead of having to remember to go back to each site. There are also some services that send you a new email when the sites you follow are updates, but if you follow too many sites in this way you will have a lot of email!!!

Hope that helps

Tami
xoxo (Raw Diva Blog and Social Media Queen)
Diva Desk

So thank YOU, Tami, for that thorough explanation. You are the wiz around here for a reason, my dear.

You can imagine I’m feeling cheekier than ever knowing my fiery red hair and enthusiasm will be blazing a across Canadian TV screens this weekend. Just when Canadians are expecting their favorite corn chip commercial to come on, the Raw Food Fire Fairy streaks across the screen bringing good news and a rainbow of color!

Well, in the name of silliness and things that make me laugh, I have to show you this:

Hi Tera, Meet Tera!

Hey Tera,

I DID IT!! and I feel great! I’ve had the odd bagel and handful of nacho
chips since I finished the 7 Day Detox but I have stayed completely away
from cooked meats of all kinds. I never was a big red meat eater …….. it
was mostly chicken, but I’m even staying away from that now. So I’m doing OK
and feel really good. I love my smoothies, although my husband and I have
been having a fruit smoothies for breakfast for a couple years now.

I’m so glad I did it and am looking forward to basically staying on track
with the fresh fruits and salads and veggies. Thanks for all your support
Tera and emails …… it’s the “BEST” Detox program I’ve ever been on.

Luv and hugs to you always,
Tera

Now, let’s face it. A name like Susan might not have the same effect on me, but this one is a rare bird. What’s more, it’s pronounced EXACTLY the same way as my name: “tee-ra”. When I read this email the first time, I so TOTALLY did NOT understand how I had written an email to myself. It had been forwarded to me from Doll in customer service. Well, well, well…

…when I finally clued in and noticed it was Tera (my mom’s best friend in high school and the woman whose name she stole for me!) I was elated and full of giggles. Some of the funniest conversations I’ve ever had are when she’s phoned me up out of the blue:

“Hi, Tera. This is Tera.”

At which point, I simply short-circuited and heard absolutely nothing.

The possibility of what was being said to me just caused a complete BLANK to take place until about 3 minutes into the conversation when I clued into what was happening and asked if we could go back to the beginning and start again! I know if your name is Jim or Jennifer, this happens to you all the time. But I’ve only ever met 3 Tera’s in 33 years, so this was fun and I thought I’d share it. Besides, it makes for another success story for our 7-Day Detox program.

What’s coming down the pipes:

Once a week I’ve got to at least stop my head from spinning and let you know what’s shaking. Things around here are busting a move and we’re having a great time. The Raw Mom site has spread her wings and will soon be flying on her own thanks in no small way to the work of Shannon Leone! Watch out for that wild one! She’s got a new book coming out about Healthy Lunches for kids and a lot more, too, so stay tuned by signing up for Raw Mom’s Tid Bits available directly on the main page for Raw Mom.

Angela Elliott, our in-house chef is rawkin’ the kitchen and we’re proud to announce and show off her new website www.she-zencuisine.com! Zen cuisine, with a feminine touch! You like? We love the look going on over here! Check it ouuuuuut.

Don’t tell Nicole I said this, because she’ll probably blush, but I noticed she signed up for Vanessa’s Super Steamy Feng Shui in the bedroom class. Vanessa’s going to be teaching all of us how to have a bit more “Fun Betwixt the Sheets” and simply how to attract romance and enhance your current relationship. I mean, what if the fact that your dresser is STILL in that same position, is the reason you just aren’t getting any looovin’ in the bedroom?! What if the dust bunnies under your bed are blocking the flow, Babe?! Let me tell you, I’ve been asking myself questions like this, which is exactly why I’m signed up for Vanessa’s Feng Shui class happening this weekend and I do hope you’ll join me!

Speaking of steamy, guess whose super sultry photo is on this page? That’s right. MINE! And don’t say it’s a sad picture, because it isn’t a sad picture. It’s SULTRY! With the help of my girls I put together a little ebook called Seduced by Strawberries: Learn the Art of Gourmet Seduction! It’s available as a free bonus for people who buy Patty’s DVD set. I have to be honest, I’ve had some pretty pleasurable experiences with figs and persimmons and have written about it on the blog. These were, no doubt, the inspiration for this steamy little number. Patty is the QUEEN of all things sensual. I have to tell you, if you lack confidence about the way you move your body, or you simply want to watch the miracle of a woman’s curves in action, then you should get Patty’s new DVD set. I watched them and I’ve tried them, but I’ll say no more than that. See the results for yourself.

Trust Monique Bastien, our in-house nutritionist to remind me that I forgot to put up the recipe for the chocolate cake I promised. Monique is the author of Have Your Cake and Eat It Too, and if there was one woman I thought didn’t need another dessert recipe, it was that one! Apparently I am wrong. VERY wrong. Here you are, Monique! Enjoy!

Remember the chocolate icing recipe I gave the other day? Well, smother it all over this baby:

“Cori’s Chocolate Cake” (this came from Cori in Israel)

Directions:
Soak buckwheat for up to 1 hour, sprout at least 1 day, no rinsing. Mix occasionally to dry it.

Grind in food processor (about 2-3 cups sprouted buckwheat) with 1 cup carob powder.
Add I cup dates, 1 at a time (till doughy).
Put some coconut on the bottom of the Pyrex, spread mixture on it.

The icing:

In blender mix 1 cup dates, about 1-2 T coconut oil, 1/2 cup carob powder and some hot water. blend till smooth. Spread on mixture in Pyrex. Decorate with coconut.

Good luck!
Okay, and now it’s Time for Happy Tales of Other Raw Food Rawkstars!!

Hi Tera
Since we have a three hour time difference I do hope you are in bed and sleeping.

I feel I have spent most of my adult life looking for the perfect recipe for being “skinny”. I think at one time I owned almost every diet book ever published. I do not remember how I stumbled on the idea of eating raw but when I did I remember thinking, that’s for me. I have always loved fruit and vegetables and did not feel I was addicted to cooked foods. I purchased all of Victoria’s books and tapes plus many uncook books.

Well I soon learned I was/am addicted to cooked foods. I would be raw for a few days, then I would be back on cooked foods.

Finally I said enough is enough and made a commitment to myself to be 100% raw. Down went the weight, down came my cholesterol, down came TSH level. I was flying high.

Along came the holidays (Christmas 2007). I fooled myself into thinking I could do cooked foods during the holidays and then just be raw afterwards. Well that was when I realized how addicted I was to cooked foods. Try as I could I simply could not go on raw 100%. The weight returned, my cholesterol went back up and so did my TSH levels.

Next I signed up for your BES program. Down went my figures again. When the 90 day detox did not take off as planned I fell flat on my face and once again I was swinging on the pendulum.

I had my blood work done before I fell on my face and today I sat down and studied my last three blood work ups. I was and still am shocked. I could see in black and white what happened when I was totally raw and what was happening when I ate cooked food. The results were amazing.

I know this is a long story but I wanted you to understand how I got to the point I am at today. It took a shock to make me realize that if I want to be healthy and well I need to stay committed to being raw, 100% raw. So that is my commitment as of now I will be 100% raw.

I am off to a three day retreat this weekend and I will have in my suitcase enough fruit and raw veggies to keep me on track.

Thanks for being here for all of us. I love you sooooo much.

Big hug

Verna Kershaw

And I love YOU, Verna! Holy Mutual Appreciation Society or WHAT?! Mmmmmhhmmm. Bring it on, Sisters! Bring it ON!

Glowing Appreciation: (I SERIOUSLY don’t even know how to respond to this one. All I can do is *gush* a flow of appreciation right back at you, Renata! I admit, I think it’s hilarious that you think of my when you look at your boyfriend’s fridge! Tell him I’ll think of him when I look at mine! )

Dear Tera!

You have such a huge loving heart! Thank you so much for all you are doing!
You come to my mind at the most important moments in regard of my decisions on the food i eat..
while shopping, or looking inside my boyfriend’s fridge : )) And it is always helps me to make better decisions.

Gluten- and dairy-free hugs,
Renata

That’s all she wrote folks. I’ve got a date with destiny and the cameras are waiting!

Love,

Tera

p.s.

By the way, just to keep my commitment to myself, I had a bath, got into my pajamas and WENT TO BED. It still counts, you know! Even if it was only for half an hour before I had to get up with the kids.

SHOWTIME!

90 Day Detox Day 9: I’m Going to be a RAWKSTAR!

I have the biggest news ever, but you’ll have to wait because FIRST, it’s time for an update:

This week has been a SUPER green week. My new friend has been dishing out a heavy, HEAVY dose of GREEN whenever we`ve been spending time together. I don`t know all about detox, but I can`t wait to have our call with Dr. Ritamarie where we ask her all the questions about detox reactions. I`m sure there`s a lot of myth out there. Coming from a natural hygiene background, then listening to all the Doctor T lectures, now spending time with the Wheatgrass and Enzyme Boy of the Year, my head is kinda spinning. I mean, for the first time I really get how totally confusing it is to make sense of all the different paths there are in the Raw Food movement.

My friend served me up some wheatgrass juice the other day. It was just a title shooter glass full, but within a minute I was SO ready to barf. “Ahhh…” says he, “Detox!”

“Detox!? What the hell do you mean, detox?!”

I haven`t really asked for explanations or proof. I`ve just been going through the flow and observing my body`s responses. He has a whole artillery of strange detox elixirs loaded up with garlic, olive oil, and lemon. If I dare sneeze, sniffle or wipe my nose in his presence, I`m passed the latest chug-this-down-fast concoction. I`ve been getting doses of bentonite clay to “soak up” the toxins and “Vitaspec” to help the barfy feelings go away.

The more I learn the more I realize how much I don`t know.

Who knew Little Miss Raw Food would be getting a major detox lesson from her Valentine`s date? (I`m typing at my son`s school on the teacher`s French keyboard, so we`re going to have some avant garde exclamation and punctuation marks today).

Anyway, the second time I had the wheatgrass juice it didn`t make me want to puke at all. That was apparently the proof that I was now slightly less toxic. So, he dished me up with a green juice.

But this was no friendly green juice. This was a green juice boot camp juice. HARD CORE, I tell you. I don`t know what to think of all these elixirs and experimental beverages that have been going into my body lately. I don`t know what to think about “pH” and other ideas like this.

I know apples and pears are easy and make sense.

I know lettuce tastes good and is crunchy.

I`ve certainly been awfully simple in my food choices compared to some. I`m curious and willing to try things. But dear friends, whatever you do, make this your golden rule:

“I make decisions based upon my own experience and not what other people tell me. My path is the right path for me.”

Today’s Success Story

Welcome to my adventures!

My name is Veronica and I live Down Under on the south coast of NSW (New South Wales) in Australia. If you don’t understand something I’ve written here, then ask away! Aussie English is a bit different to US English. lol

I’ve been on an interesting journey heading towards raw foods for about ten years now. Healthier eating first piqued my interest when Mum asked me to go with her to a course in vegetarian cooking held at one of the local churches. We had a great time, and learnt a lot as well.

Hubby wasn’t so keen, however, and after I went ovo-lacto vegetarian for two weeks he put his foot down and wanted meat again. At this stage, I wasn’t aware of the effects that eating no meat at all for two weeks and then eating steak would have on my system. Sad My body was NOT happy at all.

Our diet wasn’t the usual SAD fare, as we used a lot of fresh fruit & veg, and cooked most things from scratch. We started incorporating vegetarian meals on a weekly basis, and increased this to having two or even three nights a week without meat.

Then in 2004 I ordered a Breville Juice Fountain using Fly Buys (frequent shopper’s card thingy). I LOVED IT!!! My sister came to live with us for a while, and introduced me to beetroot, celery, carrot, apple, and ginger juices. I had a wonderful time!

At the beginning of last year my daughter and I were in a nasty car accident. She fractured her skull in two places, needed her skull drilled near one of the fractures to remove a blood clot the size of a 50cent piece (approx 1 to 1.5″ diameter), fractured three ear bones in her left ear, and was bruised like you wouldn’t believe! I got off easier, with a concussion (from which my poor old brain is still recovering) and a compression fracture to my L3 vertebra. Oh – and some pretty bruises, too, although nothing as spectacular as my daughter’s bruises.

This on top of fibromyalgia (I’ve had this for approx 9yrs now) really didn’t do my weight or overall health much good at all. So I started researching online (wearing a back brace for four months kind of limited my activities) and did I find a lot! :-O I started juicing again, and started incorporating raw foods into my diet.

Here is my favourite intermediate food recipe for popcorn avocado:

2-4 corn thins (like thin rice cakes, but made from corn) – crumbled
1 avocado – mushed up or diced
1 tomato – finely diced
finely chopped eschallots (like spring onions, but flat rather than a bulb)
alfalfa sprouts
fresh lemon juice
celtic sea salt
Mix it all up in a good-sized bowl and enjoy!

The avocado helped to give me the “full” feeling I was used to, whilst the corn thins were a good bread substitute.

I went two months as 100% raw over June/July last year, however with all that was happening (we moved and lived with friends for four months before settling where we are now in Nov) I went back to wheat, dairy, and coffee. Sad

On Feb 14 – yep! Valentine’s Day – I made the decision that it was time for a new start. When I saw the 90 Day Detox, I just HAD to join up! What perfect timing.. Smile

Phew! That was kind of an epic, wasn’t it? Well, now you know where I’m coming from, and I’m looking forward to the journey with you over the next months.

Blessings,
Veronica

MY BIG NEWS!

Okay, soooo I totally flunked on getting this out before midnight, (even though most of it was ready in time, I just couldn’t pump out the ending and keep my eyes open.  I even flunked for going to BED, because this evening I DID crash on the couch for a couple hours BUuuuuuuuUUUUuuuuT,

…it’s all going to be excused because today was a CRAZY day. I got a phone call from CTV (that’s one of Canada’s main television networks) who contacted me about a feature they are doing on Raw Food this Sunday!

Soooo, they’re going to be filming me TOMORROW! (But it’s really today, now–Wednesday). I’m soooo excited! Watch out world, here comes the Green Smoothie guzzlin’ Raw Food Lovin’ Redhead to rock your blenders!

Okay, Cupcake! Thanks for all the messages and stories you’ve been sending in. I adore you and am so grateful for your enthusiastic participation.

Okay, so, don’t worry, Snuggle Puff. I’ll still remember you when I’m a famous RAWK STAR on TV.

Loooove you like glue!

xo

Tera

Day 8: Your Weekly Challenge

Oh my goodness. I kept trying soooo hard to get this little post done for my Day 8, and my eyelids wouldn’t cooperate. Clearly, I am underslept.

Which brings me to an important thing I wanted to say. In my cozy coaching group this week, we decided to try something new. We’re all committing to a challenge for the week–something we’re going to hold ourselves and each other accountable for. We declare it to each other on Sunday evening and then the next meeting we have, we follow up and say how it went.

I thought I’d incorporate that into these daily emails as well.

How about at the beginning of the week (on Monday) we state an objective–a challenge we’d like to give ourselves for the week. As I said in my message yesterday, it’s important to respect a healthy gradient. Take things at your pace. This week I’m trying to transition toward my last meal around 4:00. I’ve been doing better, and will get there. I’ve been spending time with other people at my meals, and it really does make a big difference when you’re trying to consider the schedules and needs/desires of the people around you.

Stating your intentions, your challenge, whatever it is you’re planning to implement for yourself in the comment section below, then following up the next week will be a powerful thing. First of all, simply by stating our objectives, we strengthen our resolve to do something.

This week, don’t laugh!, my commitment was to go to bed every night. I know, I know. I’m a bit ashamed to admit it, but sometimes I just work so much and am so busy that I just pass out on the couch. I don’t take the time to put on pjs or even get under the covers on my bed. I just CONK OUT then wake up and get started all over again.

I’m working hard during this detox to bring balance to my life. To NOT obsess about food, but observe my patters around food and improve them.

So, there are 2 things I need from you, Love.

1. Post your challenge below in the comment section. Just do it for yourself. State it to the universe and all these other amazing detox participants.

2. Send me your story. How did you get here and what changes have you made in your life already because of “Raw Food” or better nutrition. Success stories are inspirational and while I certainly can go and dig up any of the thousands of testimonials that I have collected over time, I would prefer we get the stories of participants on this program. YOURS, in fact.

So if you could just send me a little email at tera@therawdivas.com with YOUR email, Id really appreciate it. Also, just to be sure we both understand, it’s a story I’d like to be able to post on these daily messages.

It’s 2 minutes to midnight! I DID IT! I kept my commitment and managed to get this little love note out to you. I’m sorry I didn’t get it sooner, but I’ll do better tomorrow.

Love and hugs, dear detoxer.

I think you’re courageous for being here and can’t wait to connect again tomorrow.

Love and hugs,

Tera

Today’s Good News:

OKAY GIRLS!! This is it, the absolutely right time to finally write and thank you all, for your consistent support and inspiration over the past few months. There have been times when I have felt so alone, and not just in eating mostly raw, that your uplifting messages have brought me back to where I am supposed to be…which is right here and now and vibrant! I am starting to become more and nore sensitive and accordingly more and more conscious of who I am and what I am putting into my body. Nine colonics and a liver cleanse and a ton of raw food later….here at last is my MASSIVE THANKYOU. And remember, for every person that takes the time to write in and thank you all, there are hundreds or even thousands out there thinking the same thing, G-d bless you all for the work that you do and the people who you reach out to whose lives are right now being changed,

LOVE and Smoothies
PETAMA

Food For Thought: Kale

Kale is thought to be one of the first cultivated brassicas. Like broccoli, cauliflower and collards, Kale is a descendent of the wild cabbage Colewort, a plant thought to have its origins in Asia Minor. Celtic wanderers were said to have brought it to Europe around 600 B.C. Today this wild ancestor, Colewart, still grows along the coast of Western Europe.

There are several varieties of Kale, each with a different taste, texture and appearance.

Curly Kale: has crimped, curly leaves and is the most commonly available Kale. It has a deep green color and a strong pungent flavor with peppery undertones.

Purple or Silver Kale: this variety is used mostly as an ornament and is grown almost exclusively for display in gardens or as a salad display. Purple and silver kale has a more tender texture and mellower flavor.

Dinosaur Kale: is of the variety known as Lacinato. It has dark blue-green leaves is slightly sweet with a more delicate taste.

No matter which one you use for eating, they all are known for their rich nutrient content.

Kales benefits include:

• Cardiovascular health
• Contain organosulfur phytonutrients that help prevent cancer
• Optimizes our cells ability to detoxify
• Optimizes our bodies cleansing ability
• Lowers our risk of developing cataracts
• Promotes lung health
• Protects and supports the immune system
• Protects against rheumatoid arthritis
• It provides 27% of our daily need for manganese, (which helps produce energy from protein and carbohydrates, is involved in the synthesis of EFA’s for a healthy nervous system and is critical in helping the antioxidant enzyme – superoxide dismutase (SOD) which is found exclusively inside the body’s mitochondria (the energy factories inside our cells) which provides protection from the free radicals produced during energy production.
• Slows the loss of mental function
• Is loaded with calcium, Vit. E, Vit. C,Vit. A, Vit. K, folate, B vitamins, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, magnesium, selenium, fiber, manganese, quercetin and many other s.
• Has an amazing amino acid score of 92 out of 100.
• Is a strong anti-inflammatory. Has a IF rating of 257.
• Has a glycemic load of 3.
• Is nutrient-dense indicating that it is more filling or satisfying per calories therefore great for weigh loss.

Each whole raw/vegan food has so many benefits for our bodies. I look forward to sharing more with you on the history, benefits and nutrition profiles of these foods in the coming weeks and months.

P.S. You’ll find much more extended information on the foods from the plant kingdom in the upcoming book ‘Healthy Kids In A Toxic World.’ Not to worry ladies I’ll keep you all posted.

Until next time get RAWKING with some Kale!

Monique

Special Guest Teleseminar #2: Get Fit With Yuri Elkaim

Well, well, well, I’m delighted to be able to announce that Yuri Elkaim (my favorite fitness guru) of TotalWellnessConsulting.ca has freed up his schedule to join us for an inspirational teleseminar on Friday afternoon at 1:00pm. We had such a great time last week with Paul, so we’re sticking to the 1:00pm teleseminar time and looking forward to this opportunity to connect with Yuri.

I want to let you know that I have interviewed Yuri in the past and he is truly one of the most enthusiastic and inspiring guys I’ve ever interviewed. He has a lot of very valuable information and he himself is a nice middle path kinda guy, who knows how to find balance in all things. That’s part of the reason we’ve brought him on board with us for this 90-Day Detox.

Here are just some of the things Yuri will be addressing in this call:

• The Cardio Myth: Why cardio is overrated and what should be done instead.
• What most people (especially women) fail to incorporate into their fitness programs.
• The most important training element to achieving any fitness-related goal.
• Understanding your own psychology and limiting beliefs.
• Why it’s important to have a trainer or a training partner.
• The extra 1%: How can you leave your comfort zone for a fitness breakthrough

CLICK HERE to access this teleseminar information and join us on for this invigorating auditory workout!

Interview with a Diva: Happy Oasis

Ahhhhhh, Happy Oasis…..I met her when I was in Hollywood for the premiere of my documentary RAISING CHILDREN RAISES US at the RAW LIFESTYLE FILM FESTIVAL (now called the green lifestyle film festie I believe).

It was an amazing weekend where I was meeting alot of the raw people you always here about in the community like MATT MONARCH, ANGELA STOKES, PATRICIA BRAGG, STORM AND JINJEE TALERIFO (who are raising 6 all-raw kids) SERGEI BOUTENKO etc.

I also met other filmakers from around the world and people who were there to see and purchase my film.  There were so many wonderful films and wonderful people.  But someone really stood out in my mind, and that was Happy!  Whenever I would see her, there was always a happy buzz around her, a flurry of excited people.

During one of the films being screened, I noticed a lithe petite blonde at the back quietly doing YOGA stretches!  I thought, ‘Wow, she’s got the right idea- It’s tiring sitting in a chair for hours on end at a film festie…I think I will join her’ so I did!  She smiled at me, and we quietly did our thang.  I just got a great vibe from her although we didn’t talk, we did definitely connect.   

I have since connected with her through emails because she has asked me to participate in the children’s program at RAW SPIRIT FESTIVAL, her HUGE raw festie that takes place every year and gathers thousands of people from all over the planet. she is incredibly positive and spirited!  when she talks it sounds like singing her voice and words are melodic.  And her stories…she lives OUTSIDE much of the year and has worked in isolated places for long stretches of time, or with tribes.  She has written books that are unlike anything you will find anywhere- you must check out her website when you get a chance!

She is completely non-materialistic.  And a very sassy Diva whom I am so excited to share with you all.  I know you will enjoy her most delicious words:

What was your first experience with raw?  Who inspired you, how raw are you, and how do you maintain it?

Every day I feel thankful. It is a miracle that I am still alive. If it had not been for the discovery of raw organic vegan foods nearly 15 years ago, I would likely be in another (body-free) dimension. I was often ill during youth and into my thirties with a hernia operation at 6 months old, tonsilitis, impetigo, measles, bronchitis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, glandular fever, mild psoriasis, diabetes, arthritis, allergies, environmental sensitivity, and an unreasonable amount of influenza,  I took years of antibiotics and, of course, these conditions cumulated in severe chronic fatigue.  ALL were overcome via adopting a healthy raw vegan diet.

High up in the HImalayas, I was inspired while dying of pneumonia, between bouts of unconsciousness, to experiment with Kunjal Kriya as advised in ‘Yogic Cures To Common Diseases’ as a way to overcome pneumonia. Kunjal kriya entails drinking approximately 2 quarts of warm salt water, body-size depending, then bending over and “drinking it backwards”, or so I prefer to describe the process. Bending over so that with the force of gravity the water gently goes back through the esophagus and out the mouth, mucous in the system thereby exits with it. By doing this twice per day and for sustenance, as the yogic author recommended, drinking only fresh vegetable juice and water – consuming nothing else – my health not only returned with lightning speed but also, to my surprise, exceeded any state of health I’d ever previously experienced. I felt clearer and more poignantly brilliant than ever, the colors seemed brighter, and both nostrils opened simultaneously for the first time.

I like to say I am 99% raw. My only rule is no rules, yet it is a very strong preference and has been a heavenly daily habit to be organic raw vegan for many years.

What are a couple of your favorite recipes?

My favorite recipes are sunshine, laughter, loving-kindness, homeostasis, and consciously simple, natural living. When in the tropics, fresh coconut, fresh papaya, feral fruits and greens. Anywhere greens are growing, I love to pick the salad. I profoundly enjoy the serenity of eating without using electric appliances, though do use them for variety and expediency sometimes. I love to eat out of a wooden bowl, while sitting on the floor or grass or sand with a beautiful view which in for the occasional evening meal usually includes candle glow.

Do you have any tips for moms trying to get their kids to eat more raw foods?

I helped raise a friend’s two year old for a year off the grid on a remote New Zealand island. She was crazy for olives so I’d remove the pits and she would feast. To offer her daily greens I’d sometimes mash bananas with avocado and mix in a little green juice and/or spirulina. She would gleefully gobble it down. We would also go swimming in the ocean every day which would improve her health and mood and likely supply her with minerals from the water and essentials from the sun and wind and sand too.

Any advice for women trying to entice their men to go raw?

Be a shining cheerful example of an energized, balanced, grateful happening rawmarkable celestial terrestrial angelic dynamic woman and offer your beloved the most delicious nutritious foods imaginable and only tell him about your diet when he asks or when he is suffering and you can gently suggest simple straightforward solutions. Be prepared to accept differences in diet and this will ease unnecessary stress. Furthermore, when your raw-friendly partner makes other than raw vegan foods, depending on where you are at, it can be enticing sometimes, so let him know that if you eat foods that are not organic raw vegan, it will adversely affect your mood, health, energy and libido. If he is smart and caring, he will then be on your side and will encourage you to continue to be on your diet and will not let you go off of it!

What’s a raw beauty secret of yours?

When I am alone and throughout the day, my thoughts, during free moments, default into gratitude. I could spend all the rest of my days in praise of people and creation and there is a certain kind of internal beauty which, though we cannot see, this beauty grows slowly over many seasons in those who appreciate and radiate thanksgiving in all circumstances.

What is your typical sleep schedule?

Please do other than follow my example here. Due to extreme workload from being the founder and CEO/CVO of Raw Spirit, I sleep only about 4 hours per night. However it is my goal to sleep 8 hours which is optimal and essential for attaining and maintaining the most superb health.

How much water do you drink daily?

This depends on the climate. At home in Arizona, I drink two glasses of water upon waking, then several glasses throughout the day between vegetables juices, smoothies, and garden-fresh salad all year round. Sometimes soup too. I eat noticeably more fruit when it falls off of our trees and one may forage in the summer months than in the winter. During all seasons in Arizona, my diet is primarily liquid so as to focus on hydration. Here in Hawaii, in contrast, we use no electrical appliances. How peaceful.  I love to eat passion fruit and papaya fresh off the tree for breakfast. My diet here is so fresh, everything locally grown, most of it from the garden or foraged as we walk in the jungle and share and exchange with neighbours.

What does your typical meal schedule look like?

I often work from 3 am to 8 am, then stretch run or swim then enjoy breakfast prior to going back to work for the day often until late evening. Having abided at a Buddhist Jungle Monastery in Thailand on an off for more than a decade, we would rise by 4 am, breakfast at 7:30 and finish our lunch, as per the ancient Buddhist tradition, by noon. To this day, this body prefers to eat prior to dusk and enjoys eating when the sun is high unless the weather is quite hot.

How late in the evening do you feel it is okay to eat?

The earlier the better. However, if dining past dusk, eating by candlelight is essential for welcoming the subtle ecstasy which accompanies the evening air. The finest dinner is an appetizer of walking in nature, followed by a main course of playing music, sweetened with the dual dessert of yoga and meditation (with a touch of cuddling when possible).

Who inspires you most in the raw movement today?

You inspire me, Shannon. Virtually everyone I meet inspires me. I love hearing raw miracles of health and creative expressions such as poetry, lyrics, art, bird songs, symphonies, humour, inventions, reverence, beauty, appreciation and other enthusiastic outbursts which come plentifully in my direction. I give thanks.

What can you tell us about your spiritual practice?

I am of service to the raw vegan eco-peace community for about 12 hours per day. Also, rather than feeling separate from others, I feel the oneness of creation. My strongest virtues are unconditional forgiveness, empathy and cheerfulness. I am also dedicated to peaceful living. I love life! I openly treasure the beloved, family and friends, surrounding myself whenever possible with wonder-filled people and live in peaceful places of natural beauty. For this blessed lifestyle I am deeply grateful every day. This gratitude is the essence of a joyous spiritual life.

What projects or interests are currently inspiring you?

Expanding the Raw Spirit Festival to these THREE weekends in 2009 – California, East Coast and Southwest:

The Full Moon in June: Live Oak Park, Scenic Hwy 154, Santa Barbara, CA, June 5th- 7th

August in the East (Maryland/DC): Patuxent River Park, August 29th & 30th

Raw Spirit Arizona:  Gorgeous Granite Dells, Watson Lake Park, September 26th & 27th

Hosting the Raw Spirit Radio Show is a new love and a pleasure to share the vast knowledge, resources and mirth of so many talented friends.  Traveling virtually continuously this year, relating feral parables and the zaniest health secrets I learned while abiding with third world tribal families who adopted me. It’s a crazy-busy schedule these days and nights, speaking to increasingly larger groups at other festivals, etc, with more than 15 engagements most months in 2009. I am always open to speak at new locations, including at Raw Potluck Celebrations of considerable size.

I’m focused on improving the quality and affordability of the festival including this good news: Raw Spirit Festivals will be 50% less expensive than in 2008. Also, all three festivals are at new beautiful locations which delight and inspire. These specially-selected natural venues feature breath-making views, ample onsite parking, onsite camping, nearby hotels & rv camps (ask the Chamber of Commerce), good vibrations, easy airport access, weather-protective outbuildings, hiking trails, trees, lakes, ponds, meadows, rivers and/or streams… dynamic speakers, world-class music, rawmarkable restaurants, children’s program, … and fabulous friends!

Raw Spirit is expanding more than ever, Thanks Be To You!